Monthly Archives: January 2017

January 31, 2006 – The Compilation Album Radio Disney Jams, Vol. 8 is Released Through Walt Disney Records

“I’m strange, and I like it, that’s just the way I am.”

On January 31, 2006, the eighth volume of the compilation series Radio Disney Jams was released through Walt Disney Records. The album not only featured songs that had heavy airplay on Radio Disney, but also those songs that were used to promote Disney Channel programming and Disney animated feature films. Included in the track listing were Sk8er Boi by Avril Lavigne, Shake a Tail Feather by The Cheetah Girls, and Just The Way I Am by Skye Sweetnam. The album would go on to peak at number 70 on the Billboard 200 chart.

“Meet Alice, the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, and the Walrus and pose for pictures with them at Alpine Gardens…”

On January 30, 1971, Disneyland hosted the two-day event Alice in Wonderland Days. The event was a celebration of all things Alice in Wonderland, complete with two parades that traveled from Main Street U.S.A. to the it’s a small world attraction in Fantasyland. Special photo ops were also available with characters Alice, the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, and the Walrus, held in the Alpine Gardens area between Tomorrowland and Sleeping Beauty Castle.

January 29, 1920 – Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks Find Advertisement for Artists at the Kansas City Slide Company

“Cartoon and wash drawings first class man wanted”

On January 29, 1920, an ad was placed in the Kansas City Star by the Kansas City Slide, asking for a man to do cartoons and wash drawings. The ad was spotted by Ub Iwerks, who discussed it with his friend Walt Disney, and the pair agreed that Walt should apply for the position. The pair were still working on establishing their own business, and Walt had only wanted to find a part-time position, but was encouraged by Ub to accept the $40 a week full-time job when it was offered. Although Ub had assured Walt that he could maintain their business while Walt worked at the Kansas City Slide Company, Ub did not possess the salesmanship that Walt had, and the business quickly crumbled; fortunately, Walt was able to convince his boss to hire Ub as well, and the pair would work at the company for a little over two years.

“…the four freedoms pledged in the Atlantic Charter and later by the United Nations are freedom of speech and expression, freedom of every person to worship God in his own way, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.”

On January 28, 1942, the Federal Government released a press statement about the Disney-designed emblem for the Department of Agriculture. Created by Disney artist Hank Porter, the emblem featured an eagle flying over a cargo ship, and was meant to be added to labels to signify that the food came from the United States, particularly when sent overseas through the Lend-Lease program. The emblem found itself on cans of lima beans, canned meat, and packed apples.

January 27, 1998 – The Compilation Album Winnie the Pooh: Friends Forever is Released Through Walt Disney Records

“You’ve got a friend.”

On January 27, 1998, the compilation album Winnie the Pooh: Friends Forever was released through Walt Disney Records. The album featured several original songs about friendship inspired by the Winnie the Pooh series, featuring artists such as Mark Lennon, Nancy Bryan, and the cast of Winnie the Pooh. This album is one of many compilation albums released for the Winnie the Pooh franchise, and features songs with strong Celtic and acoustic influences.

On January 26, 2011, the third ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Dream, set off on its maiden voyage, a week after its christening. The ship, at the time, was the biggest in the fleet, with 1,250 staterooms, 14 decks, and a ship length of 1,115 feet. The maiden voyage had the Disney Dream traveling to Nassau, the Bahamas, and Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island.

“Only a handful of sequels have ever been nominated so we really didn’t think the best picture nomination was in the cards for us. The fact that we did get nominated in that category makes us very, very proud.”

On January 25, 2011, the nominations for the 83rd Academy Awards were announced from the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California. The Walt Disney Company managed to secure 13 nominations, with Toy Story 3 receiving five (Best Picture, Best Animated Feature Film, Adapted Screenplay, Original Song, and Sound Editing), the Pixar short Day and Night receiving one (Best Animated Short Film), Tangled receiving one (Best Original Song), Alice in Wonderland receiving three (Achievement in Costume Design, Art Direction, and Achievement in Visual Effects), TRON: Legacy receiving one (Achievement in Sound Editing), Iron Man 2 receiving one (Achievement in Visual Effects), and The Tempest receiving one (Achievement in Costume Design). In the end, Disney would walk away with four: Best Animated Feature for Toy Story 3, Best Original Song for “We Belong Together” from Toy Story 3, and Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design for Alice in Wonderland.